When you see a loose cat on the street, are you looking at a feral or a stray? Aren’t those the same thing? If you’re a cat person, this distinction is probably going to become relevant at some point. The two types of animal are actually very, very different.
Stray cats are the ones who used to live as a pet, or at least have experience interacting with humans. Some of these cats do have families searching for them, but many others have entirely lost their connection with hearth and home. Either way, these cats weren’t born to the unhoused life. They tend to hover near places frequented by humans, sniffing around for a handout and casting uncertain glances at the people who notice them. They might look somewhat ragged and unkempt since they don’t have that much expertise at living entirely on their own.
Feral cats will have a little different aura. They have never known human beings and have definitely never been touched by one, so they are essentially wild animals. They usually will look pretty fit and well-groomed, because they have spent their whole lives honing their hunting and survival skills. Stray cats usually move through life alone, but feral cats may live in organized groups (sometimes referred to as colonies). They are mostly active at night. While a stray cat may vocalize or even move a little closer when you try to get their attention, a feral cat won’t make eye contact and tends to streak away when they realize they’ve been spotted. Any sort of cat can go into a panic when cornered (yes, even an indoor pet cat), but a feral will seem like he’s possessed. He will send a very clear message that if you intend to touch him, only one of you will live to tell the tale.
Now, the time will come when you feel compelled to intervene with a free-roaming feline that is injured or ill. Capturing and transporting any such animal is not particularly safe. A fearful cat of any variety can injure you in a heartbeat, but the damage inflicted by a feral animal will be memorable, to put it mildly. I’ll add that your physician is definitely not going to approve of this escapade; you might even have to take rabies shots. Should you choose to press on, you’ll find that only a few animal health facilities possess the equipment needed for handling feral animals, and the care that can be provided for this type of individual is extremely limited. While a stray cat might be eventually coaxed to live with humans again, that isn’t something a feral cat can comprehend. If you somehow do succeed in helping, he’ll almost certainly have to be released again immediately. That’s probably not the outcome you’d pictured when you swooped in for the rescue and took over the financial responsibility for his health care.
You’re a pet lover. Of course when you see an animal in need, your first instinct is to help, but please look before you leap. Be sure you know how complicated this could get before you go diving in, and choose wisely where to bestow your efforts.
Dr. M.S. Regan